THE STORY OF THIS DREAM TRIP

This blog is a reprint of my internet journal from 2001 to 2002 in which I documented my "vagabond" solo journey in a Chevy Conversion Van tracing my roots. I not only traced their paths and found their homes and final resting places, but I did extensive genealogical research in court houses, libraries, historical societies, genealogical societies, cemeteries, and talked to the local people. I traveled with a laptop to upload my notes and photos, and use e-mail. It was a fantastic journey which lasted two years. I had no other home except my van to sleep in...just a bed and video player. My household goods were put into storage for two years. My mail was delivered to me at general delivery when I phoned "MailBox, etc." and told them where to send it. At night I stayed in campgrounds, motels, friends' backyards, friends' homes, and those of the few living relations I've tracked down.As I traveled I collected so much genealogy information, that I had to get rid of items that I had originally thought essential to my travels (like a microwave oven). Between ancestral sites, I visited any tourist sites I could find and got to know alot about the USA. This was a trip of a lifetime and I'm still sorting through all the wonderful memories, photos and invaluable genealogical data I found. I will post to this blog as I can - one or a few days at a time of that journey from 2001 to 2002

Monday, July 26, 2010

9 May 2001 - NC to VA

9 MAY 2001 Wednesday Mt Airy, NC - Blue Ridge Parkway,VA

The Original Siamese Twins

[I'm having trouble with Blogspot blog site trying to get my pictures to insert correctly - sorry]

Up for the Continental Breakfast that was part of the room rate. Remembered to bring my cell phone that was charging in the wall receptacle. On to the Visitor’s Center for the video of the Mt Airy town’s offerings and a museum of the “largest collection of Mayberry RFD Andy Griffith- items in the world”. Let’s not forget that Mount Airy is the birthplace of singer Donna Fargo and home of the famous Eng and Chang Bunker. The twins were born in Siam (Thailand) in 1811 and were joined at the abdomen. That is where we get the term “Siamese Twins” from. They went on tour with the circus when 12yr old, married sisters, had 22 children all together (they didn’t give details on that) and are buried in the cemetery in Mt Airy, near where they farmed until dying in 1887. In addition, Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart was born at Ararat VA, six miles from Mt Airy.

Mt Airy Museum

Granite Quary - Mt Airy, VA

I qualified as a Senior Citizen (yikes) at the Regional Museum, so kind of hobbled around looking at the exhibits. Finally I drove over to the other Mt Airy claim to fame, the World’s Largest Open Faced Granite Mine in the world. Granite from here is what made the Arlington Bridge over the Potomac in Washington DC. Gas in Mt Airy $1.56. I had a problem with the station ringing me up incorrectly then not knowing how to credit my credit card. So after much convincing of the manager, I just signed for the additional $8 and they gave it to me in cash.

Fifteen minutes later I was at the Blue Ridge Parkway and had to stop immediately and take a photo. It is a very beautiful and peaceful two-lane road; words cannot describe the pleasure in driving this crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Built during the 1930s to give jobs to people during the Depression during Franklin Roosevelt’s presidency, it is a masterpiece – a ribbon of Americana at 2500 ft above the land. I was in the Virginia part of the road.

I stopped at each overlook and place of interest, including Mabay Mill, a very picturesque mill with water wheel for grinding corn and sawing lumber. It is so picturesque they have post cards that have been printed by scoundrels using a photo of this mill advertising the State of Iowa and Maine!

MaBay Mill, VA

The Dogwood trees were beginning to bloom their white flowers accenting the many large hardwood and pine tree green. Azaleas added color. The weather was perfect. I could go on and on, but will just say that if you ever get a chance to travel this Parkway, do it – especially if the weather is good. With a speed limit of 45mph you can’t help but relax. and marvel at rural America and the beauty of the land.

Tent Catepillar nest in tree

I found a tent catepillar in the trees, so had to take photos of it.

I decided to get off the Parkway at Roanoke, VA. This was a mistake. I had avoided Roanoke before, and should have again. I never found the Visitor’s Center so drove through traffic back East to the Parkway and checked out a new “”Explore Park” at milepost 115. It was closed, but thought I’d return in the morning.

Unfortuntely when I got off the Parkway on the north side of Roanoke to find a motel, I ended up on a Highway that just kept going and going – and no motels. Twenty miles later I found myself in Bedford, VA. Took the first motel I found, Days Inn – for $40 – complete with microwave, refrigerator, free local calls, and continental breakfast. Ate spaghetti at the adjoining restaurant so I didn’t need to drive anymore, and then got on the internet for awhile before I tuned in “Boot Camp” for the next to last episode on TV.

At 1:28am a beep woke me up. I couldn’t figure out where it came from. I finally narrowed it down to my Cell Phone, so searched for it’s charger and got that going. Besides recharging my own battery, motel stops are now for recharging laptop, camera, cell phone, and soon, my GPS.

My Vagabond Van

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About Me

I'm a retired Army Nurse. I have time to travel the world on my own, on tours, or with Operation Smile where I volunteer as an operating room nurse to help fix children's cleft lip and cleft palates. I have been doing family research, in one way or another, for forty years. I welcome comments to the blog posts, or contact me at donwen (at) aol.com